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In Australia, an estimated 35,000 people are reported missing each year. Although the majority of these people are located within a short period of time, the impact on those who are left behind, and the vulnerabilities experienced by those whilst they are away from their support networks, are both traumatic and challenging.

A missing person is defined as someone whose whereabouts are unknown and where there are serious concerns for their wellbeing. Having a relative or friend go missing can affect every Australian regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic group.

The link between mental health and missing persons

Research has identified that one of the factors that contributes to the rate of people going missing is the impact of mental health on a person’s ability to cope with life.

There are many issues that trigger people experiencing poor mental health to go missing such as: frustrations with health professionals; opposing ideas with loved ones about how to address a mental health issue; uncertainty about who or how to ask for help; or a sense that there are no alternatives but to go missing. Some may go missing for a short period of time; some may go missing time and time again whilst others disappear for the long term – increasing the risk of harming themselves or being harmed by someone else

There is a persistent stigma within the community of acknowledging that mental health is a community health issue. Those who are left behind and the missing person can feel that they have little support available to them. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is working in partnership with a number of mental health organisations to inform the Australian community of the link between mental health and missing persons with a view to alleviating the trauma experienced by those people living with a mental illness, their families and friends, and to reduce the incidence of people going missing due to mental health issues.

The NMPCC, funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Federal Police, coordinates and promotes a national integrated approach to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons.

From the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre Fact Sheet

National Missing Persons Week is an annual event which takes place during the first week of August and is coordinated by the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre through the Australian Federal Police with the support of State and Territory police. It aims to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with this phenomena leading to a reduction in the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia